AFA graduation will honor top cadets, affect traffic Wednesday
The Air Force Academy will graduate 1,011 cadets from the class of 2008 Wednesday in a ceremony that includes a speech by President Bush.
There are no tickets available for the event.
IF YOU'RE GOING: Wednesday's graduation will kick off at 10 a.m., but those who want to attend should plan on showing up much earlier. Security is airport-like and getting through it takes time.
Gates open at 7 a.m. and the academy said attendees should be at the stadium by 9 a.m. at the latest.
The crowd must remain in Falcon Stadium from the 10 a.m. start until the air show is over at 12:45. A floppy hat and sunscreen are advised.
IF YOU'RE NOT GOING: The best bet to avoid traffic tangles associated with the graduation crowd is bypassing Interstate 25 by using Highway 83. But every other driver might be on the back roads, too, so it might be best to just leave early and miss the mess.
Details haven't been released, but motorists should also expect delays from a presidential motorcade Wednesday to Falcon Stadium.
The commander-in-chief could whistle up a helicopter, but don't bet on it if you're on the roads Wednesday.
Top senior cadets recognized
The Air Force Academy recognized its top senior cadets today in advance of Wednesday's graduation ceremony.
It's one of several events today that culminate with swearing-in ceremonies overnight for the school's 1,011 graduating cadets who will become officers after the caps are tossed Wednesday.
The graduates will be lauded by President Bush in his second commencement address at the school. Although Bush's approval rating dipped to 23 percent in a recent Zogby poll, he's packing them in at the academy. Only a few hundred tickets for the event were made available to the public this year, and those were gone in 15 minutes.
The class of 2008 is massive compared with those of recent years. The academy said it's the largest group of graduates since 1994, when 1,024 graduated.
The class includes 104 members who will be recognized as distinguished graduates, 12 international cadets, five cadets who are cross-commissioning into the Army and three who will be ensigns in the Navy. Graduate school awaits 87 cadets.
The four years at the academy were tough on the class, which saw 331 of its members drop out before graduation.
Cadet Hila Levy was named overall top graduate, earning an overall grade point average of 3.79, including her scores for athletic and military prowess. Cadet Thomas Stuart, who has a 3.96 GPA, was honored for best academic performance.
Cadet Ian Helms showed the best military performance and cadet Jonathon Reynolds was the school's top athlete, the academy said in a news release.
